KEITH'S FANTASY CLUB E.A.V.I. METAL PHASE SIX SERIES CRASH HOG & DUMPYARD REVIEW
"Bah-weep-graaaaagnah wheep nini bong!"- Wreck-Gar from Transformers: The Movie.
Up for review is the Keith's Fantasy Club E.A.V.I. Metal Phase Six Series Crash Hog & Dumpyard action figures. This set was released by third party company Keith's Fantasy Club (KFC) in August of 2016 and retails for about $170.00 USD for the pair.
Crash Hog and Dumpyard are part of KFC's E.A.V.I. Metal Series of transforming robot action figures that compliment Hasbro & Takara Tomy's Masterpiece Transformers action figure lines.
The figures are based off both the Transformers Generation 1 Wreck-Gar toy and the characters Wreck Gar & the Junkion Junkyard as they appeared in the Transformers animated movie in 1986.
PRESENTATION
Both figures come in book style boxes with some really nice artwork and graphics from Lost Seeds Studios. When you place the boxes side by side, it creates a full art scene with the characters.
When you open the front flap, it reveals some more artwork with a biography and brief story of the character. It also reveals a window box showing off the actual figure. Crash Hog is displayed in robot mode, while Dumpyard is in vehicle mode respectively.
On the back of the boxes, a basic diagram of the character is shown with a list of the accessories that are included with each figure.
I particularly like the way these turned out, as I display my boxes. They have a nice premium quality look to them, and they look great on display. Very impressed with the presentation!
FIGURE
Once removed from their boxes, each figure comes in a plastic tray along with his tech specs biocard, instructions/comic, weapons, and accessories.
In robot mode, the figures stand a little over 8 and 1/2 inches each from the top of the head to foot.
This seems to be relatively consistent with the animation scale chart when comparing with other masterpiece style figures as Wreck-Gar was depicted being a bit taller than some of the other carbots, but still slightly shorter than some of the leader figures like Rodimus or Optimus Prime
In vehicle mode, the figure measures about 8 inches from the front tire to back tire when using the front forks configuration. When not using the forks, it measures slightly smaller at 7 and 1/4 inches. The bike measures about 5 inches in height from it's lowest to highest point.
DESIGN
Crash Hog's robot mode is based heavily on Wreck-Gar as he appeared in the '86 movie and season 3 of the original Transformers TV series.
Crash Hog's robot design has more human-like characteristics as many of the movie characters were depicted in this style. From his spiked tires/shields to his iconic mustache and beard, there's no mistaking who this figures is representing as the leader of the Junkions in your collection.
There's a nice amount of diecast metal used for the feet and upper legs which give the figures a good distribution of weight, which allows better balance when posing it.
The bike mode isn't based on any realistic motorbike but is more of a futuristic design with a little bit of steampunk influence, conveying that these are from the planet of junk.
Dumpyard is similar to Crash Hog in design as both share many of the same parts with some retooling and different accessories to differentiate the two.
PAINT
Both Crash Hog and Dumpyard are mainly molded in reddish orange, tan, and brown plastic with some reddish-orange, tan, grey, and yellow paint applications highlighting some of the sculpted details. The rims on the tires have a nice glossy yellow paint to them, and they really pop in bike mode!
Dumpyard has darker brown paint applications compared to Crash Hog with some blueish-grey highlights as well.
The handle bars in bike modes also have nice chrome finishes to them, accentuating the premium look of the vehicle mode.
The paint apps are nicely applied with minimal bleed or blemishes. I thought KFC did a nice clean job with the paint on these figures.
ARTICULATION
Both figures sport a phenomenal 65 points of articulation and moving parts with the articulation being present in the head, neck, ratcheted shoulders, arm swivels, double-jointed elbows, wrists, individually articulated fingers, waist swivel, ratcheted waist joints, thigh swivels, ratcheted knees, ankle tilts, and pivoting feet. Overall, they have a great range of poseability, as I was able to get both figures into numerous poses.
TRANSFORMATION
Both figures transform into their respective futuristic bike modes. The transformation is relatively straightforward with some similarities to the G1 toy counterpart with a bit of parts-forming to boot.
When transforming from bike mode to robot mode, I recommend removing the tires, front forks, and any accessories that are plugged into the figure. This makes transforming a bit easier without worrying about losing some of those small parts.
Once you remove the accessories, it's mainly unfolding the legs to a straight position, and sliding the lower legs up to collapse them into their robot configuration.
The front of the bike/chest is lifted up to reveal the arms and head, so those parts can be unfolded for robot mode.
The most difficult part of the transformation is getting the handlebars to fold into the chest,. There's a bit of a clearance issue when moving the handlebars through the front of the bike to fold into the chest. It takes a little maneuvering, but I recommend taking your time attempting it. I would even check some video reviews to be certain with the transformation.
Also, be careful when folding the handlebars. They are very small, and easy to lose. The front mirrors and break levers are designed to detach from the handlebars. I believe this was to prevent any breakage had they attached those parts permanently.
Once you get beyond that part, the rest of the transformation is easy. Parts line up and tab in nicely for a solid robot or vehicle mode.
ACCESSORIES
Crash Hog's accessories include, 3 guns, 4 rubber spikes, 2 fork/handles, 2 tires/shields, 1 axe part, 2 pipe adapters, and 1 TV accessory
Dumpyard's accessories include 2 guns, 1 sword, 2 shields, 2 shoulder spike armor covers, 2 fork/handles, 2 tire/shields, 2 pipe adapters, and 1 green fuel tank drum.
I was a little surprised that Dumpyard comes with the large green fuel tank, instead of Crash Hog. It's even shown in Crash Hog's instruction booklet as one of the included accessories.
Wreck Gar was shown beating on the fuel tank in the movie, so you would think it would be included with him. I'm wondering if KFC decided to switch it to be included with Dumpyard's accessories to create some added incentive to purchase that figure.
In robot modes, the handles of the weapons and accessories have the standard masterpiece tabs that plug into the hands. Be mindful that when tabbing the accessories to the hand, they will snap in place. It requires a little bit of force, but once snapped in, they stay tightly in place.
Both figures come with rubber spikes that can be plugged into certain ports on the figure in either mode. This allows for some nice display options for the figure.
Another nice feature with the green fuel tank is the ability to store some of accessories inside it. This was a nice touch in case you wanted to keep the accessories close, but not neccasarily attached to the figure.
Crash Hog also has two hip containers attached to him, which can store the TV accessory or some of the smaller accessories like the rubber spikes.
PLAYABILITY
This is where I think the figures shine the most.
Both figures not only come with accessories that either figure can use in both modes, but you can swap out the arms and head pieces to create alternate looks for your figures.
I think this is an awesome feature that has a lot of potential for play or display options. This opens up the possibility of KFC releasing more Recycles (Junkions) with even more accessories to swap.
You can also display the figures in an alternate bike mode where the front wheel plugs directly into the bike instead of attaching the front forks.
It's a nice little nod to the G1 toy which had the a similar design placement.
If you prefer that configuration, you can place the forks on the side of the bikes using the small beige pipe adapters.
QUALITY CONTROL
This is my first exposure to a masterpiece style figure from KFC (I've only bought their articulated hands prior to these).
I know KFC had a a reputation for varying quality, but with these two figures, they seemed to have upped their game.
Paint apps are plentiful and neatly applied. Joints are tight with some ratchets to reinforce the joints.
A couple things to note: I had a couple minor issues with only Crash Hog. One of the chrome handlebars is slightly loose, but I applied some future polish to the area, and that seems to have resolved the looseness.
The other was Crash Hog's right hand and right pointer finger. There was some stressing on the hand and at the base of the finger's ball joint which could eventually break. I'm already getting a replacement hand from my seller, so that will take care of the other issue.
One thing I do want to mention. It's not really a QC issue. When you have the front tire attached to the front forks in vehicle mode, be mindful that the yellow painted rims can rub up against the forks and chip the paint. This happened with my Crash Hog figure.
If you use the forks, don't press them as tight up against the front tire. This will allow the tire to move freely without rubbing against the side of the forks, and lessen the chance of paint rubbing off.
OVERALL
Transformation is well thought out with out being a chore to transform. The playability between these two figures is through the roof!
Most collectors that have picked these two up are saying this is the best KFC figure they have done to date, and I have to agree with them.
These are a great representation of a Masterpiece Wreck-Gar & Junkyard! They are a welcome addition to my collection, and I am in for more KFC Recycles(Junkions) if they decide to issue more, which I think they will.
On a scale of 1 to 10, I would rank them as a solid 9! They are definitely in my top 5 masterpiece style figures from a third party for 2016. Well done, KFC!
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Thanks for checking out the review!
